Improved lasting-machine



' upoirthelast, where it can befconfmedfogr re- .UNITED STATES VILLIAM WELLS, OF MIDDLETON,

ASSIGNOR TO ALFRED B. ELY, OF

NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

HVIPROVED LASTING-IVIACHINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 4 L96?, dated March l5, 1*(34.

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM WELLS, of Middleton, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Lasting Boots and Shoes; land the following, with the accompanying drawings, form a full, perfect, and exact description of the same as regards the construction and operation thereof.

In the construction of lastingmachines the main objects to be obtained are substantially rigid jaws for holding the sides of the upperleather to the sides of the last, rigid ,anges extending over from the jaws for breaking down the edges of the leather over the bottom of the last, and an adjustable holding mechanism for adjusting the last to such heights as may be required by differences of construction and by different thicknesses of leather. The jaws are usually four in number.

In my machine the heel-jaw is stationary. The toe-jaw is movable to and from the last. The side jaws are hung upon pivoted arms or clamps, which swing open to insert the last, and then are closed up and fastened. The last is placed uponv a pin or rod, one end of which is inserted into the top of the last, while the other is attached to a lever or device for raising or lowering it to its proper height. To the side jaws are rigidly attached projecting iianges, tting the bottom of the last and projecting over so as to break down the leather ceiving the outer sole. The end jaws are pro!d vided with hinged or folding ilanges, which are thrown apart when the side jaws are open, but which are closed or folded together over the heel and toe when the side jaws are closed, operating in this manner better than if they were not hinged and were rigidly attached to the end jaws.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top view with the jaws relaxed and the last in place.l Fig. 2 is an end view ofthe hinged flanges. Fig. 3 is a side and a sectional view of a side jaw with flange attached. Fig. 4L is a vertical sectional View as regards the main working parts. Fig. 5 is a view of the wedgeclamp used for closing the side jaws.

A is the last having a hole bored in its top, and placedbottom up on a pin, rod, or stud,

c, which passes through a brace, c, and rests upon the adj listing-lever J.

B is the toe-jaw with a recess in and upon it, usually lined with leather, for the toe of the last. This jaw is made to recede from and close up to the last by means of a screw, b, with its handle b passing through lthe collar b in the body of the machine and into for the purpose.

O is the heel'jaw, which is stationary, and is usually lined with leather to fit the last.

D 'D are side frames, arms, or clamps pivoted at d, so as to swing off from and up to the last, and having the side jaws, E, fastened to them by a thumb-screw, e, passing through the clamp and into the jaw. These jaws are constructed so as to fit the sides of the last up to the bottom edge thereof, which may be accomplished by having them so cast or by having them suitably lined.

. F F are the flanges of the side jaws, made of sheet metal and bent so as to conform to the bottom of the last, and securely fastened to the jaws. They may be cast with the jaws.

G G are the heel and toe flanges, each made Ain two pieces pivoted together, and securely fastened to hinges g, moving on the pin g', and placed outside the heel and toe jaws, to which also they are confined. These flanges and hinges are thrown apart by the spring g, and are folded or closed up by the closing up of the side arms or clamps, D D, which press "against'their sides at c c. Y ..-l

H is a clamping-lever, which is It upon a bolt or rod, t i', attached to the upright arms of one of the side clamps DD, and reaching over and beyond the rod z" i', attached to the upright arms of the other side clamp D D. The wedgepoint h being crowded down over t" i', closes up the side jaws, and these closing fold up the end ilanges.

J is a lever pivoted at j', and upon which the lower end of the rod a, which holds the last, rests. By the action of lthis lever the last is raised or lowered to its proper position for the action of the fianges on the leather.

l is the outer edge of the bottom of the last or leather. 2 is the inner line of the flanges when they are closed up, and 3 is the inner line of the leather after it is broken down, leavthejaw B, which is made to movevon ways pivoted atM 9 not claim the use of what I have denominated Aployed by me, what I claim in lasting-madescribed, is-

ing a space between 2 and 3 in Awhich to insert pegs or nails for confining the leather.

By constructingl and attaching my side jaws in the manner I do I am enabled to apply jaws or" different sizes to the same side clamps, and so last diiferent-sized shoes in the sam machine. t K K K are adjustable gages with slots and screws fitted to the jaws or flanges, against which the outer sole is placed, so that it can be tacked or fastened to the last, and be in readiness to be sewed or pegged upon the shoe the moment it is removed from the machine. .i

Having thus described my invention, I do ""jaws7 nor of what I have designated as iiangesg but, in the construction and combination of the mechanism and devices emchines, substantially as and for the purposes l. The combination of hinged or folding flanges with the end jaws, heel, and toe.

2. The combination of hinged or folding heel and toe flanges with anged side jaws.

3. So constructing the parts that the hinged end flanges can be lfolded together over the last, when in position, by bringing up the side jaws or clamps.

4. Constructing and combining the side clamps and side jaws so as to remove and replace the jaws, as may be required.

5. So constructing the holding mechanism as to adjust the height of the last to the ianges or jaws, substantially as described.

6. The combination of gages with the` [ianges for fitting on the outer sole.

WILLI A M WELLS.

Vitnesscs:

W. N. ELY, W'. M. PARKER. 

